8th day of the annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela

Chandigarh, 29 January, 2016: On the 8^th day of the annual Chandigarh National Crafts Mela, jointly organised by the North Zone Cultural Centre (NZCC), and Chandigarh Administration, at Kalagram here, witnessed huge footfalls, today, with the incurable lovers of ancient art and crafts thronging the Mela. The early morning light drizzled failed to play spoil sport to thousands of Mela enthusiasts, who came calling to savour the colourful favours of distant corners of the country. As the day progressed, weather gods appeared less gruelling, with the sunshine offering a welcome to those visiting.  

It was a day of a host of programmes of performing arts on the stage, with artistes from various regions of the country performing to a more receptive audience.  Among those performed in the day segment were artistes from Leh-Ladakh, who performed their traditional folk dance ‘Zebro’, followed by ‘Dhamali’ a folk dance genre of Jammu and Kashmir, through which they invoke their reigning deity. The next items of the programme were Nagaland’s folk dance ‘Shela Pheta’ and Punjab’s ‘Jindua’, Uttrakhand’s ‘Thadia choufla’, ‘Panthi’ of Chhattisgarh and Manipur’s ‘Lai Haroba’ and Assam’s folk and semi-classical (Instrumental), which the audience received amid vigorous clapping. NZCC Director Dr Rajinder Singh Gill, who was present on the occasion, appreciated the presentations by artistes

Ground performers entertained the visiting Mela buffs with their scintillating performances representing their region’s cultural heritage, to live up to this year’s underlying theme ‘’North to North East’’ (Kashmir to Kohima). The peppy beats of ‘Dhol’ and ‘Nagadas’ and other musical instruments created a kind of musical extravaganza. Gaily-dressed Kaachi-Ghori artistes from Rajasthan and ‘Gatka’ artistes from Punjab, Karnataka, and Haryana turned out to be show stoppers. Children amusement park here turned out to be gala day for kids, who enjoyed their joy rides in toy Jeeps, train, cars, mobikes and swings. ‘Bahurupiyas’ posing as Lord ‘Krishna’ and other mythological figures received huge applauses.

The show stealer today was the pottery and crockery stalls where shoppers had a wide ranging collection to choose from. Fine quality of ceramic items including Cup sets, soup bowl sets, and dinner set in attractive colours and designs, flower pots vases and planters. Stall putting up artificial jewellery, designer carpets, rugs, fine floor-spreads, handicraft and handloom items too did brisk business. Foodies had a field day, who enjoyed a range of flavour from North and North-East states, including Nagaland, Rajashtan, Uttar Pradesh (UP), Hyderabad, Karnataka, Bihar and Punjab, Delhi et al. 

The welcome makeover in the evening segment featured a hilarious Hasya Kavi Sammelan where eminent poets of from various parts the country presented their poetic compositions. The programme featured 87-year-old poet, Hari Singh ‘Dilver’, who has been participating at the International Kavi recitation from the ramparts of Red Fort, from the times of Pandit Jawahar Lal Nehru to Narendra Modi). He recited the poem ‘Asin jo sadak samjhe oh Pagdandi Nikli...asin jo park samjhe, oh sabji mandi nikli...’. Jagjit ‘Sufi’ from Ambala, winner of the ‘Entertainment ke liye kuchh bhi karega’ show  on Sony TV, presented his rib-tickling composition ‘Computer par bachchon nei baat banai, computer par shadi karvai, computer par he divorcee ho gaya...chalo koi baat nahin, issi bahane bachchon ka computer course ho gaya’.

Dr Jagvir Singh, director, youth welfare, MD University Rohtak, who conducted the sammelan also presented some of his poetic compositions. ‘Kari mehnat jiski nishni hai, sari duniyan uski deevani hai, pare mushkil phir bhi hansta hai, to samjho Hindustani hai’. Others who presented their compositions were ‘Khichri’ from Uttar Pradesh (UP) and Joginder Moudgil from Haryana. The audience was mesmerised by the fusion of classical Kathak dance recital, presented by Pandit Sandeep Mahavir and group, from Mumbai, which was highly appreciated.       

Tomorrow (January 30) the evening programme will include an electrifying performance by Mizocardinal Choir Group from Mizoram. Renowned Punjabi singer Satwinder Bugga will also entertain music lovers.